Senators demand anti-rebel operations in rural areas

KABUL (Pajhwok): A number of Meshrano Jirga members on Sunday asked the government not to be focused on security situation in cities only, calling for operations against militants in rural areas as well.

Few days back, Taliban militants launched coordinated attacks on the capitals of Kunduz, Helmand and Farah provinces, capturing some areas from Afghan forces.

However, local officials recently claimed the Taliban had been pushed back from Kunduz City and parts of capitals of Helmand and Farah provinces.

Senator Safiullah Hashemi during today’s session expressed concern over escalating insecurity in parts of the country.

He said Afghan forces should launch operations against Taliban in rural areas to prevent them from threatening urban areas.

Gulalai Akbari, another senator said: “The government has no plan to clear northern parts of the country from Taliban who retreated from Kunduz city because they faced with a shortage of weapons, they would possibly attack Kunduz again once reequipped.”

She also asked security organs to continue their operations against militants in the northern region and Helmand, Farah and Uruzgan provinces.

“Fortunately the enemy attacks on Kunduz, Tirinkot, Farah and Lashkargah cities have failed, but if the government does not decisively fight the militants, the threats would remain high,” another senator, Mohammad Alam Ezedyar said.

He said militants in all provinces should be eliminated to remove their threats to stability of the country.

Other members of the upper house also said the government should not focus only on cities, but should also focus on improving security in rural areas.